Armageddon

The strategical importance of Palestine

Any serious student of the Word of God is interested in that small area of the world which today is called Israel. Since Palestine is a piece of real estate that God has promised to the Jews (Gen. 15:18), we know there is a time in the future when they will possess this Land. Since A.D. 70, when the legions of Titus destroyed Jerusalem, the Jews have been scattered all over the earth and will continue to be dispersed until after the Second Advent when Jesus Christ Himself regathers them

nationally as believers in the Land. The present dispersion is the result of their persistent negative volition to Bible doctrine and their failure to disseminate the Gospel (Hos. 4:6; Matt. 23). Although the Jewish people throughout the world are conscious of their national home in Palestine, they are entering the Land as unbelievers and, therefore, modern Israel does not constitute the prophesied nation under God.

Down through the centuries, armies of all nations have pushed across this strategically vital territory. Today waves of Zionistic immigration have caused uneasiness in the Arab world. The Arab states, which have been engaged in a bid for power and political solidarity, must keep face in the Near East by seeking to wrest this strip of land from the Jews.

It has been said that the nation which controls the Bosporus and the Suez Canal commands three continents -- Europe, Asia and Africa. The Bosporus technically is the twenty-mile strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara; but the strategic area actually includes the entire body of water from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. It becomes more apparent with the advance of time that Palestine, located between the Bosporus and the Suez Canal, is a focal point for military and economic strategy throughout the world.

For hundreds of years, divergent views concerning Israel’s future, as delineated in the last book of Scripture, have produced a multitude of opinions and theories of interpretation. Attempts to correlate Biblical passages with contemporary events always lead to confusion when the dispensational aspect of God’s Plan a is ignored. Since “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor. 14:33), He has given us a timetable which the Bible calls “Dispensations” (Eph. 1:10) This is the key to understanding prophecy, as it establishes chronologically certain events pertinent to Israel.

Note that the Age of the Jews is interrupted by the Age of the Church. It is not until the personal reign of Christ in the Millennium (the last thousand years of history), that Israel will once again be a theocracy. But during the seven years prior to that period, which is the completion of the Jewish Age, God will unleash upon the world a series of judgments unequaled in history (Rev. 16).

The time of the tribulation

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved [delivered): but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Matt. 24:21, 22).

Speaking to His disciples, Jesus Christ prophesied concerning the Tribulation in His Olivet Discourse. The information should not have come as a shock to the disciples, as the Old Testament contains many references to this fact. Jeremiah 30:4-7 speaks of “the time of Jacob’s trouble” and compares it to the “birth-pangs” of a woman. Ezekiel 20:34-38 refers to a time when Israel shall “pass under the rod.” The Tribulation is also represented as God's “melting pot,” where Israel will be refined as gold and the impurities removed (Ezek. 22:19-22; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:1-3). This time of trouble is known as “the indignation” in Isaiah 10:5; 13:5; 26:20; Daniel 8:19.

Perhaps the most familiar term of all is Daniel’s “Seventieth Week,” recorded in Daniel 9:20-27. In his vision, the Prophet Daniel was told of a seventy-week period that God would give the Jews “to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness … and to anoint the most Holy (Dan. 9:24). These were prophetic weeks (seventy sevens) in which each week stood for seven literal years. This 490-year period was reckoned from the “going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem” the decree of Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus) of Persia in 445 B.C. (cf. Neh. 2:1, 5, 6). It was exactly 483 years (sixty-nine “weeks”) from that time that Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem and was hailed by some as the promised Son of David (Matt. 21:8, 9) but ridiculed by others. This is known in Christendom today as “Palm Sunday.”

The crucifixion of Christ was the beginning of the interruption of the prophecy and left one remaining “week” (seven years) to be fulfilled. Intercalated between the sixty-ninth and seventieth “week” of Daniel is the present Church Age, during which Israel is temporarily set aside as a missionary agency. This same passage in Daniel (9:26) demonstrates the silence of the Old Testament prophets with regard to the “doctrine of the mystery’ (Eph. 3:3) or the Church Age. When any prophecy dealt with events chronologically, the Age of the Church was omitted, and information concerning the Tribulation, Millennium or eternal future followed sequentially.

Although Daniel received communication regarding the Tribulation, he understood only that it referred to a time of great trouble for his people. What were unknown and unrelated facts to Daniel were clearly revealed to John later on, on the Island of Patmos, where he was commanded to record all the details in the Book of Revelation!

The character of the Tribulation

Through the study of the Word of God, we are brought to the realization that from the beginning Satan has attempted to thwart God’s Plan for man. As the result of the devil’s cunning and man’s subsequent negative volition, both physical and spiritual death c became the heritage of Adam and Eve and their progeny (Gen. 2:17; 3:4; Rom. 5:12). Genesis 3:15 not only promised a personal Redeemer who would overcome Satan, but also implied a perpetual warfare between the Kingdom of

God and the kingdom of the devil. Underlying this conflict is Satan’s constant attempt to impugn the character of God. Since God has given four unconditional convenants to Israel and guaranteed their fulfillment, Satan has sponsored antagonism toward the Jews throughout history. During the Tribulation, in an effort to prevent the Jews from occupying the Land, he will foster a period of unparalleled anti-Semitism and launch a concentrated attack against Israel aimed at the destruction of all Jews. If no Jews survive, Christ cannot fulfill His promises to them!

Two important factors will facilitate the acceleration of Satan’s activities in the Tribulation: (1) the removal of all believers from the earth at the Rapture of the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-18); (2) the removal of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:6, 7). Thus RELIGION — Satan’s ace trump will be free as never before to delude, deceive and destroy.

The Tribulation will be divided into two periods of approximately three and one half years each. The first three and one half years will be characterized by power politics in which four major spheres of influence will struggle for world domination. Lawlessness and anti-Semitism will drastically increase, and the end of the Tribulation will culminate in a Satanic attempt to annihilate the Jews by the gathering of the armies of the world against Palestine. So intense is the severity of the second half that it is known as the “Great Tribulation” (Matt. 24:21,22).

As the Tribulation begins, a treaty will be made between the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire and the False Prophet of Israel. Three and one half years later the Roman dictator will violate his word and betray those with whom he had entered into an agreement. Following his betrayal of the covenant, he will turn against Israel with implacable fury and hatred. The age will close with the total collapse and defeat of Satan’s forces at the Battle of Armageddon. God will demonstrate before angels, demons and men that the Lord Jesus Christ can, singlehandedly, overcome the combined forces of Satan’s entire kingdom of darkness and sin. He will need the help of no man, and His victory over the powers of evil will be unquestionably decisive.

Grace before judgment

Before every divine judgment throughout Scripture, God has given man a period of grace in which to be saved. Prior to the Flood, God granted the human race one hundred and twenty years (Gen. 6:3). That civilization had the object lesson of the building of the ark as well as the faithful declaration of the Gospel by Noah (2 Pet. 2:5). Throughout the Tribulation, the Gospel will be proclaimed as never before in history (Matt. 24:14), 1 so that the unbeliever will be without an excuse (Rom. 1:18-20)! The world will be evangelized four times: by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, who are saved following the Rapture of the Church (Rev. 7); by the testimony of the Tribulational saints (Rev. 14:12, 13); by the two witnesses, Moses and Elijah (Rev. 11:3); and by angels (Rev. 14:6, 7).

In Revelation 16, we are introduced to the seven vials or goblets, literally seven cataclysmic pressures which represent a final great evangelistic thrust designed to bring people to a realization of their need for Christ. Although He freely offers grace, God never forces human volition. But instead of repenting (changing their minds about Christ), these unbelievers “blasphemed the name of God’ (Rev. 16:9). This chapter demonstrates that those who are blinded by religion will neither change their mental attitude toward Christ under the most tender and gracious approach nor under maximum disaster.

The first vial of God’s wrath will be loss of health (Rev. 16:2); the second and third are food and water crises (Rev. 16:3-7); the fourth, a heat wave (Rev. 16:8, 9); the fifth, an epidemic (Rev. 16:10, II). The sixth goblet, which provides the background for Armageddon, is military disaster (Rev. 16:12-16); and the seventh, disasters of nature (Rev. 16:17-21). Although all these judgments result in great pain and privation, they are not designed to annihilate the population only to bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ before the Second Advent and the Baptism of Fire (Matt.3:11).

We must remember today, as believers will in the Tribulation, that no matter how dark and grim the situation, God is ever on His throne directing the affairs of men and working out His Plan in the lives of His own (Psa. 33). All hell cannot remove believers from the earth as long as the Lord wants them here. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a member of the Royal Family, and God has a purpose for your life. God’s Word gives strength in the face of hopeless disaster or catastrophe. He can deliver a believer through or from any difficult situation J regardless of the dispensation in which he lives! But understanding this comforting principle depends on Bible doctrine in the soul. Bible doctrine makes the difference!

What is Armageddon?

Revelation 16:12-16 is the only passage in which the word “Armageddon’ is mentioned. The context of these verses specifies certain events, personalities, nations and geographical localities which are identified with “the battle [POLEMOS] of the great day of God Almighty.” The presence of POLEMOS in Revelation 16:14 instead of MACHE, which usually denotes “battle” or “individual combat,” indicates that the events described are a part of a war or campaign. A campaign involves a military invasion into unfriendly territory in an effort to locate enemy forces and peoples for the purpose of annihilation, subjugation or enslavement; therefore, a campaign is composed of a series of battles in a specific geographical location, fought in chronological succession or simultaneously. Inasmuch as this titanic struggle occurs in one country, Palestine, the translation of POLEMOS as “campaign” is preferred to “war” or “battle.”

The tenor of Scripture describing the location of the campaign leads to the conclusion that the Campaign of the Great Day of God Almighty is fought in at least four specific geographical areas: (1) Jerusalem (Zech. 12:2-11; 14:2); (2) Armageddon (Rev. 16:16); (3) Jehoshaphat Valley, east of Jerusalem (Ezek. 39:11; Joel 3:2, 12); and (4) Edom (Isa. 34:1-6; 63:1-6). That the conflict will rage throughout the entire land of Palestine is confirmed in the phrase “cover the land” (Ezek. 38:9, 16), which alludes to the fact that the armies of the northern confederation will sweep over the land of Palestine.

The Greek word ARMAGEDDON is derived from the Hebrew HAR MEGIDDO, meaning the hill or city of Megiddo, which occupied a salient position on the southern rim of the Plain of Esdraelon. It was famous for two great victories: of Barak and Deborah over the Canaanites (Judg. 4:15) and of Gideon over the Midianites (Judg. 7). Here, too, occurred the death of Saul in the battle of Gilboa against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:8) and that of Josiah at the hands of Pharaoh Necho’s Egyptian army (2 Kgs. 23:29, 30; 2 Chron. 35:22).

So vast is this plain that Napolean Bonaparte, upon reviewing it, remarked that all the armies in the world could maneuver in such a place! While Revelation 16 lacks details of the campaign, it verifies the fact that a mighty conflict involving all the nations in the world will take place in Palestine. These will be Satanically inspired forces assembled in defiance against God for the purpose of destroying His people, Israel. However, those elements and personalities under the domination of Satan and in opposition to God will themselves be destroyed at the climax of this final warfare, the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ! Armageddon is not just the decisive defeat of vast military forces representing mighty international empires, but is an integral part of both the closing campaign of the Tribulation and the predicted Plan of God!

Four spheres of influence

During this Biblical “week,” Palestine will emerge in economic importance. For such a small area, it contains tremendous natural resources: the Dead Sea is the site of some of the most valuable chemical deposits known today. In addition, Palestine’s strategical location will be even more crucial than ever before. Four great spheres of influence will engage in a power grab for the wealth and control of the Tribulational world. They are designated in Scripture as the “King of the West,” the “King of the North,” the “King of the South” and the “Kings of the East” Their identities are derived from their directional relation to Palestine. Each entity is a group of nationalities united by a common purpose designed either for survival or for the control of the earth’s surface. In identifying the spheres geographically, we can only relate them to conditions at the present time; even a few years from now the picture could be entirely different.

Among the kings gathered for battle in the Great Day of God Almighty is the one whom Daniel variously called the “King of the north” in Daniel 11:40, and the “king of fierce countenance” in Daniel 8:23. Isaiah refers to this same person as the “Assyrian” (Isa. 10:24) and “overflowing scourge’ (Isa. 28:15). Ezekiel labels him “Gog of the land of Magog” (Ezek. 38:2, 39:1). This king is not to be confused with “Gog and Magog” of Revelation 20:8, which is an inclusive term for all Gentile adherents to Satan after his release at the close of the Millennium and subsequent rebellion against God. In relationship to world politics today, Gog would be the dictator of the Russian Soviet bloc; but positive identification must await the unfolding of future events.

Since Russia has recognized the enormous value of the resources in the Middle East, the Communists have contributed greatly to the consolidation of Egypt and the Arabic nations — the pan-Arabic bloc or the King of the South.

The Kings of the East (Dan. 11:44) and the “kings of the sunrising” (literal rendition from Rev. 16:12) are considered synonymous. These Oriental hordes will cross the Euphrates and invade Palestine in the second half of the Tribulation. Today this confederation of Oriental powers would be analogous to the Chinese Communists. Before World War II, many would have said it was the Japanese Empire; but in the future all major Asiatic powers may be linked as a pan-Oriental bloc.

The King of the West always refers to the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire -- the future confederation of Western Europe. In the rise of nationalism during the last century, the balance of power resided in European nations, as seen in the various alliances of World Wars I and II. These are no longer significant, since the pan-Oriental bloc has upset this balance. Although the aims of the Russian and Chinese Communists are divergent, together they form a fantastic Communist bloc that

comprises over a third of the world’s population. Therefore, Western Europe must merge into a strong union in order to meet the threat of domination. NATO, Winston Churchill’s United States of Western Europe, and other similar international concepts seem to point to a consolidated Western Europe.

The only nation preventing the balance of power from land-sliding into Communist hands at present is the United States of America, which is still reckoned a major force in the world. In reality, however, we are no longer a giant except in industrial power and even that is being destroyed by governmental interference. As far as we can apply prophecy to the United States at the present time, it would appear that we will be a subsidiary or satellite nation of the Revived Roman Empire (one of the clay nations of Daniel 2:33).

It is obvious that many Americans are already mentally prepared for capitulation: our educational systems, fashions, lifestyles and many philosophical concepts are influenced by European culture. We have weakened our own economy by sending money, arms, food and industrial know-how to foreign nations. It is a bitter fact that a part of every dollar which the American worker earns is sent to Europe. Politically, we have already taken a gigantic step in that direction: we now have an

ambassador to the Vatican!

The unholy trinity

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Rev. 16:13).

There are many passages which describe the maneuvers of the various kings of the Tribulation; this passage explains the evil force that motivates them. The three unclean spirits are ruling demons’ (KOSMOKRATORAS), to whom Satan delegated the responsibility of indwelling world rulers or their advisers in order to influence them to execute his will (Dan. 10:13). During the Church Age, Satanic power on earth is so restrained by the ministry of the Holy Spirit that men often forget Satan’s very existence. However, during the Tribulation this created being will be free to act without restraint, as demonstrated by the unholy trinity.

The Dragon

The first member of this nefarious trio is the dragon, or Satan himself. Satan is a genius, and as in the Garden of Eden, so in the Tribulation he will direct worship away from God. His secret obsession has ever been to be “like the Most High” (Isa. 14:14). While God has permitted Satan to become the ruler of this world (Eph. 2:2), this has never satisfied his insatiable power lust. When the devil took Christ (whom he knew to be God) into a high mountain and showed Him the kingdoms of the world, he said, “AIL these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me’ (Matt. 4:9). The culmination of Satan’s attempts to be worshipped as God is revealed by the power he gives the “Man of Sin”: it is written that the King of the West, as Satan’s man, “sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is as God’ (2 Thess. 2:4). The fulfillment of this Scripture occurs in the middle of the Tribulation as a direct result of war in heaven:

...Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev. 12:7-9).

The seed of rebellion planted in the Garden will bear bitter fruit, for in the Tribulation both Satan and “the beast” will be worshiped instead of God (Rev. 13:4, 8, 12). From the first pernicious innuendo of the Garden until this very hour Satan has denied the fact that a just and righteous God has pronounced a penalty on sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23). The devil has succeeded in blinding men’s minds “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:4). The simplicity of “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31) has been obscured by the endless systems of works through which man seeks to be saved.

The Beast

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority (Rev. 13:1,2).

The second personality is the “beast out of the sea.” Other passages refer to him as the “feet of the image” (Dan. 2:31-45), the “little horn” (Dan. 7:8), the “prince that shall come” (Dan. 9:26, 27), the “god of forces” (Dan. 11:38), the “man of sin” (2 Thess. 2:3-10), and the “scarlet beast” (Rev. 17:3). As the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire (the King of the West), he is said to have “ten horns,” signifying a ten-nation confederacy which he rules (Dan. 7:7, 8, 23, 24). He is depicted as rising out of the turbulent “sea” of nations. “Horns” in Scripture denote power, which is given to him by the dragon, and reveals that this dominating personality of the Tribulation is the agent of Satan; as such, he is also the ecumenical religious leader of the future “World Council of Churches.” Since Satan is a spirit, he needs earthly agents who agree to accomplish his will; he therefore operates through the minds and activities of men to affect the affairs of the world.

That this beast is greater than any power of the past is indicated by the reference to the leopard (Graeco-Macedonian Empire of Dan. 7:6), the bear (Media-Persian Empire of Dan. 7:5) and the lion (Babylonian Empire of Dan. 7:4). The King of the West will epitomize all the brilliancy of Alexander the Great, the massive power of Cyrus the Great, and the autocratic royalty of Nebuchadnezzar.

His empire is discussed in more detail in Revelation 17:2-12. The “seven heads” or mountains in verse 9 of this passage are seven kingdoms who have opposed Israel: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and the future Revived Roman Empire. In the day in which John recorded his Patmos vision, the first five kings had fallen, while the sixth empire, Rome, was in authority. The seventh king is the beast or little horn of Daniel 7:8, 24, who subdues three horns of the ten-horn confederation and thereby assumes control of the Revived Roman Empire. He will be given power to persecute the saints and to overcome them (Rev. 13:7). Then, according to Revelation 17:14, the confederation of kings under the beast will make war with the Lamb Jesus Christ who in turn overpowers them! His victory is the climax of the Campaign of the Great Day of God Almighty:

The false prophet

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth [Land], and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon (Rev. 13:11).

The third member of the infamous triumvirate, the “false prophet” (Rev. 19:20; 20:10), is the Dictator of Palestine. He is also known as the “wilful king” (Dan. 11:36-40) and the “idol shepherd” (Zech. 11:15-17). While the first beast of Revelation 13:1 comes out of the sea — Gentile nations — the second comes up out of the Land — Palestine (Dan. 11:37). The fierceness of this dictator is hidden under the disguise of a lamb, which dupes people into believing he is the Messiah. The two horns signify the dual office of king and prophet which he assumes.

Although this dictator has no great army or military force, his influence is enormous. He is empowered by Satan and exercises all the might of the first beast.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth [Land] and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed (Rev. 13:12).

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men (Rev. 13:13).

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live (Rev. 13:14).

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed (Rev. 13:15).

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads (Rev. 13:16):

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (Rev. 13:17).

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding [doctrine] count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six (Rev. 13:18).

By producing these great signs or miracles, he is able to sustain the claims of deity made by the first beast (King of the West) and direct worship toward him. For this reason, the second beast is called the “false prophet.” Thus these earthly rulers, together with unprecedented demon activity, wars, cataclysms and pestilences, will precipitate the greatest suffering the world has ever known. It is no wonder that this period is referred to in Scripture as “the Great Tribulation”!

The frog demons

For they are the spirits of devils [demons] working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14).

For centuries, demons have operated “under cover” ; in the Tribulation, they will assume major roles and come out into the open. These demons are said to be “like frogs.” The croaking noise of the frog is often used as an analogy to the boisterous promises of politicians. The talks which precede the alliance between the beast and the false prophet are actually the mouthings of the demons. Hence, while demon possession is involved, the “noises’ will emanate from the mouths of the

politicians. Demon possession has been the basis for the activities of many rulers in history, such as Adolf Hitler. In the Tribulation demons will provide the power for the dictators to perform apparent miracles, which are designed to impress the people. The less people think, the more they are deluded by the supernatural! So we see Satan utilizing every means possible to assemble the entire inhabited earth to do battle against God!

The abomination of desolation

Early in the Tribulation, the Dictator and religious leader of Palestine (the False Prophet) will face a problem: how can he defend his little country against the constantly changing balance of powers on every side? To the north are the Communists threatening his destruction. To the south, the Arabs, his hereditary enemies, would certainly never be interested in the protection of the Jews. He will not dare to hazard an invasion of Oriental powers from the East; therefore, his only hope is the King of the West. Consequently, he enters into an alliance with Rome; in return for protection, the Roman dictator will demand a share in the wealth of Palestine (Dan. 11:36-39).

For a time the covenant between the two dictators will provide Israel with a sense of security. But in the middle of the “week,” the Dictator of Rome, indwelt by an enraged and avenging Satan, will break his treaty, eliminate the Jewish sacrifices in the Temple (Dan. 12:11), and demand that he be worshipped as God. At this point, the “abomination of desolation,” a statue of the King of the West (Revived Roman Empire) will be set up in the Holy of Holies. All who fail to worship the image will be put to death (Rev. 13:15).

To believers who know the Word of God, the establishing of the abomination of desolation is the signal to flee to the mountains, where they are to remain for the next three and one half years.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains (Matt. 24:15, 16).

And to the woman [Israel] were given two wings of a great eagle {angelic protection for the believing Jews], that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time [one year], and times {two years], and half a time[one half year], from the face of the serpent (Rev. 12:14).

There will be many attempts to lure these believing Jews from their mountain hideouts in order to kill them. False propaganda will be disseminated to give them the impression that Christ has returned (Matt. 24:23-26). The question then, as now, is — will they believe the word of man or the Word of God? When the false reports of the return of Christ fail to induce the believers to come out of hiding, Satan will promote great “signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9) in an attempt to deceive. The ones who succumb to these will be martyred; but those who know Bible doctrine will survive and be delivered by Jesus Christ at the appointed time.

Preparation for battle

Just as in the past God has used invading armies to punish disobedient Israel, so will the King of the North appear during the Tribulation to ravage the Land and destroy its people. This time, however, his coming will assure his own destruction!

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push [make war] at him [Dictator of Palestine]: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he [the King of the North] shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and pass over (Dan. 11:40).

The pan-Arabic bloc (King of the South), probably headed by Egypt, will also invade Palestine in another of its many attempts to seize that country. About the same time, the King of the North advances toward Palestine. There is only one land bridge between Russia and Africa, and that is the Middle East. Therefore, to make a strategic penetration of Africa by land, which is his main objective, the King of the North must move his army through Israel.

By interpreting the Bible in the context of the time in which it was written, “chariots’ would be highly mechanized armored forces; “horsemen,” mobility of troops; “many ships” — a mammoth navy. This verse indicates a strategical double envelopment. One arm of the envelopment is the army; the other, the navy — by land and by sea — with Palestine caught in the middle. The Russian fleet sails out of the Black Sea through the Bosporus and into the Mediterranean. The land forces cross the western end of either Iran or Turkey and continue on into Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the Negev (the V-section between Egypt and Jordan) and Sinai toward Egypt. The area from Syria down through the Sinaitic Peninsula is called the “Slot,” and from the standpoint of logistics, it becomes vitally important The King of the North makes a swift conquest of these countries as he passes through.

“Overflow” is the rapid attack of armored forces designed to control the main arteries of travel. “Pass over” means “to pass through.” The King of the North does not take the time to consolidate his gains but merely establishes control of the key points in order to set up his logistical system. His conquests follow the concept of lightning or blitzkrieg warfare, first developed by General Heinz Guderian. This sudden overwhelming attack consists of armored forces moving with great

rapidity on the main arteries of travel. Motorized infantry then secures and holds the checkpoints a crossing or a town. These are followed by a mop-up army equipped to wipe out any remaining pockets of resistance, and, if necessary, to move inland in order to remove any possible threat to the line of logistics.

He [the King of the North] shall enter [invade] also into the glorious land {Palestine], and many countries [the many Jews] shall be overthrown: but these [Jewish believers] shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon (Dan. 11:41).

Since the-first objective of the King of the North is the invasion of Egypt, he does not seek to control the entire Land of Palestine. Therefore, the regenerate Jews who have been hiding in the hills (Matt. 24:16) will continue to remain there in safety.

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries [of North Africa]: and the land of Egypt shall not escape (Dan. 11:42).

The penetration of North Africa by land forces is next on the agenda of the King of the North. Even today, the Russians have constructed roads between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They are also developing other areas with a view to moving into the Middle East. However, this does not necessarily mean that the Rapture will take place soon, although as far as Scripture is concerned, no further prophecy need be fulfilled before the Rapture of the Church can occur. It does mean that a comparable situation exists today that makes this passage very easy for us to visualize.

Once the King of the North invades Egypt, he will be joined by his fleet so that he now has both water and land bases in which to organize his conquest of Africa. His plan of attack is twofold: one, a strategical penetration toward Ethiopia, the heart of Africa; the other, a strategical envelopment along the Mediterranean coast of Africa.

But he shall have power [rule] over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans [western advance] and the Ethiopians [southern advance] shall be at his steps (Dan. 11:43).

He will gain possession of the valuable treasure of Egypt; this, along with supplies from conquered countries along the way, will form the basis for his further conquest of the continent of Africa. But all will not function smoothly for the conquering Gog (Ezek. 38:2). Just as he is about to launch his massive drive into Africa, an unforeseen event takes place:

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euplirates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared (Rev. 16:12).

How the angel dries up the river has been a source of speculation; but it is clear that the way is now prepared for the Kings of the East to invade the Land. Isn’t it interesting that these Asiastics suddenly move in this direction? They have not shown any interest in Palestine since the days of Genghis Khan. In maneuvering his chosen men into position to destroy the Jews, Satan has overlooked one major pawn the Kings of the East. God checkmates or counters Satan’s move, and the situation intensifies for the Jews. At this point, the King of the North receives disturbing military reports:

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away [annihilate the] many[Jews] (Dan. 11:44).

The armies of the pan-Oriental bloc will have crossed the Euphrates River and penetrated as far as ldumea (Isa. 63), forcing the Arabs back, as the Kings of the East advance toward Jerusalem. To the north, in the great Valley of Esdraelon, the army of the King of the West is concentrated. This would indicate a double envelopment, which cuts off the Communist land supply route from the east.

The predicament of the King of the North is further complicated by news of the decisive defeat of his navy in the Mediterranean by the King of the West, which separates him from his base of supply by sea. Napolean found himself in a similar plight in Egypt when Nelson defeated the French navy at the Battle of Aboukir Bay in 1798.

The logistical problems for a large army are astronomical, even when the supply lanes are open. With his navy wiped out and his arteries of supplies severed, the King of the North is understandably agitated. Desperate to reopen his supply lines, he can only return by land; so he turns his army back “with great fury” and heads for Jerusalem. His rage is against the King of the West, whose alliance with Palestine had dealt him such a devastating blow. In his frustration, his first objective is to take vengeance on the Jews in Jerusalem. Apart from a few pockets of resistance, he meets with little opposition.

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace [palatial tents] between the seas in [and] the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him (Dan. 11:45).

The headquarters of the King of the North are described as “palatial tents,” a command post which befits the commander of a great army. The navigational fix of his headquarters is established “between the seas” — the eastern Mediterranean, the Dead Sea and Mount Zion, the western escarpment of Jerusalem. If you draw a line between these three points, you will see that the headquarters are located just outside Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem becomes his “Waterloo” (Ezek. 38,39).

The siege of Jerusalem

In the history of Jerusalem, there have been many sieges. Outstanding historically are the falls of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and A.D. 70. Yet to come is the siege of Jerusalem at the end of the Tribulation — a part of the Armageddon Campaign. Joel, Chapter 2, describes the latter from the standpoint of unregenerate Jews.

. . . as the morning [dawn] spread upon the, mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations (Joel 2:2).

When dawn first breaks over the mountains, many places are still in the shadows of darkness because of rock formations; but dawn’s light gradually penetrates all hidden crevices until they too become illuminated. The analogy is that when the King of the North first invades the Land, there are places he did not take time to wipe out; thus, the believers in hiding are protected from his invasion. When he is frustrated in Egypt and returns, he seeks out the cities and remote regions for annihilation.

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them (Joel 2:3).

The analogy changes in this verse from dawn to fire. Just as a fire burns everything in its path, so the fierceness of them King of the North leaves devastation and destruction in his wake. The third analogy, the Garden of Eden, indicates that the King of the North finds a place of great prosperity; but he leaves behind him a place of devastation just as the invasion of Satan in the original Garden left it desolate.

“Nothing shall escape” is literally, “escape shall not be unto him.” This refers to the administration of the Dictator of Palestine, who will be wiped out in the invasion.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run [assault and advance]. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong [well armed and prepared] people set in battle array (Joel 2:4, 5).

Here is a vivid description of the invaders organized for battle in terms of warfare of that day. The conquest is as certain as fire in stubble. The crackling noise indicates the rapid spread of the invasion.

Before their face the people [unbelievers] shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness (Joel 2:6).

Before the conquering armies of the King of the North, unbelieving Jews living in Palestine will suffer mental anguish, anxiety and paralyzing fear. They had deluded themselves into thinking that “brotherhood” would make anti-Semitism a curse of the past. By virtue of their alliance with the mighty King of the West, they had considered themselves invulnerable.

They [the armies] shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war: and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another [no confusion in ranks], they shall walk every one in his path: and when [though] they fall upon [in] the [midst of] swords, they shall not be wounded [victims not trained]. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief [looting] (Joel 2:7-9).

Led by a godless but brilliant general, the armies have great initial success. They advance to the attack with extreme courage. They are well trained; they move with perfect discipline and do not fall apart under fire — the mark of a successful army. In our country today, military training has degenerated. Discipline has been gravely undermined by the interference of the “bleeding heart” politicians and religious liberals. When discipline has to be learned in combat, it is too late!

The forces of the King of the North move right on through the barrage of enemy fire without sustaining casualties. This army will undoubtedly be the best trained army in all of human history. They might have ruled the world but for one factor — the intervention of Jesus Christ. No man or group of people can progress farther than God allows. No army advances once God calls a halt! Jesus Christ controls history, past, present and future; He is in control today and will be until the end of time!

Zechariah 12 discusses the Siege of Jerusalem from the standpoint of the believers in Jerusalem. Here the frog demons of Revelation 16:14 have accomplished their task of gathering all nations in Palestine to make war against the saints and the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:19). Whatever their original purpose for being present in Palestine, Satan intends to use their forces for the annihilation of God's people. Truly this is the “time of Jacob’s trouble” ! Never was the night so black for Israel as will be those closing moments of the Tribulation (Isa. 63:5a). Yet the mighty Gentile coalitions which attack Judah in that day will besiege Jerusalem in vain, for Jesus Christ will make Jerusalem a “cup of reeling” to these national groups.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling [reeling] unto [from] all the people [four spheres of influence] round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:2).

Jesus Christ, who is omnipotent in heaven, on earth and among men (verse 1), will bring to pass these events on the scene of’ time. Jerusalem is pictured as a goblet filled with a strong intoxicant. The kings will drain its contents and will reel as drunken men. The intoxicant is divine wrath poured out on the armies which are besieging Jerusalem in that day.

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people [the armies]: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it (Zech. 12:3).

Even at the present time, Jerusalem and Judah are a burdensome weight which the nations attempt to but cannot carry — a problem they cannot solve! Whether it is erroneously conceived international dictums of the United Nations or individual nations attempting to lift the weight, Israel is the center of world conflict. Twice in recent years 1967 and 1973 the issue has flared up, threatening to engulf all nations in World War III! This burden will be intensified in the Tribulation, as Palestine will again become the focal point for world conflict. He who conquers Palestine rules the world! Three great confederations will attempt that conquest, but even their greatest efforts will be nullified by the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Israel itself shall be conquered when they “look upon {him] whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10), and the One who conquers them, Jesus Christ, will rule the world!

Two other verses in Zechariah give a resume of the Siege of Jerusalem, which will plunge the Land into a blood bath and a scramble for plunder.

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil [wealth] shall be divided in the midst of thee (Zech. 14:1).

The word “day” in the Bible has three connotations: (1) a twenty-four hour period (Gen. 1:5). (2) Less than twenty-four hours, such as the “day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), which refers to the instant of time when an individual believes in Jesus Christ. The “day of Christ” is the moment when the Rapture occurs (1 Cor. 15:52; Phil. 1:10). (3) More than twenty-four hour period, the most common instance being the “day of the Lord” (Isa. 13:6). This period begins with the Rapture (the day

of Christ) and covers the Tribulation, the Second Advent and the Millennial reign of Christ, a combined period of approximately 1007 years. Sometimes the “day of the Lord” refers to only one of these events, as in Zechariah 14:1 the Siege of Jerusalem, just prior to the Second Advent.

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and [but] the residue of the people [believing remnant] shall not be cut off from the city (Zech. 14:2).

This verse summarizes the events of Daniel 11:40-44 and Revelation 16:12-16 and presents the divine explanation: God will PERMIT Israel’s enemies to gather against her. As the armies sweep through Jerusalem, two thirds of the city’s population capitulate (Zech. 13:8). This group of people will be lulled into false security by treaties, promises couched in smooth words and religious phrases — just as many are being duped today. People who are ignorant of the Word of God are easily led down the “primrose path.” When the Chinese Communists took over China, they instituted immediate reforms, and even many of our Christian missionaries were completely deceived. They discovered too late the ruthlessness hidden behind the whitewash of closing down houses of prostitution, opium dens and gambling establishments.

Not only will the wealth of the people who surrender be plundered, but they will become the victims of violence and rape. It is better to die fighting for freedom then surrender to those who live by violence. Don't ever buy the concept, “It’s better to be Red than dead”! The alternative is not only better it is BEST! Violence can only be stopped by greater violence. It is respect for the laws of divine establishment which preserves all those who function under them. The born-again Jews of the Tribulation are no exception; hence, “the residue of the people [the believing remnant of Jews] shall not be cut off [destroyed] from the city.” One third believers are still resisting (Zech. 13:9). Why? For the answer we must go back to Zechariah 12.

And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God (Zech. 12:5).

God always has men who are prepared to stand in the gap because they know Bible doctrine. “Governors” (ALUPH) is literally “general officers” and is so translated in the Septuagint. These generals make a decision to organize a defense and make a last stand. As we have seen, the unbelievers do not join them. They say in effect, “Why should we fight against our BROTHERS? We belong to the World Council of Churches; they treat us well!” So they go out and surrender and what happens? They are robbed, raped, tortured, taken into captivity or killed!

Although the generals are aware of the lack of training of the remnant and their inferior weapons, they know these believers can be depended upon because they are motivated by the faith-rest technique which is undergirded by an understanding of the doctrine of eschatology (Joel 2:18-21). They have principles from the Word of God in their frontal lobes, so they continue to resist.

How applicable this is to us today in every area of life! It is great to see high school young people who know exactly what they are doing because they understand doctrine: they know better than to date just anyone in order to have a social life or to enter into the activities that others succumb to for kicks; or to swallow the distortions and human viewpoint they are being taught. They are willing to “buck the tiger” and stick to their standards on the basis of the Word of God. It is refreshing to find college young people who neither depend on friends, fraternities or athletics for sustenance, nor need alcohol, drugs or sex to make them happy. They have the courage to be “Daniel's' to be different and to resist the pull of their peers.

Even in the face of ridicule, many young men in the barracks refuse to join in the traditional weekend drunken brawls or the “pot” parties; they refuse to conform or to lick the boots of someone above them in order to be promoted, and they too stand on the basis of Bible doctrine rather than compromise their principles. There are courageous men in the business world who apply Bible doctrine and depend on God’s grace rather than on shady business practices to make a profit! No one has ever lost or will ever lose by taking a stand on doctrine!

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem (Zech. 12:6).

The generals have such a tremendous mental attitude they are like torches setting dry grass aflame! Their stalwart zeal ignites the people with inspired courage. They barricade what is left of the City, and with valiant determination, they are prepared to shoot to kill (“devour’’) .These who resist are alive when Christ returns and will live on in their physical bodies for another thousand years! They as well as other surviving believers will be the basis for the repopulation of the earth during the Millenium, as they reside permanently in Jerusalem in perfect blessing (Ezek. 40-48; Zech. 2:4, 5; Rev. 21:2,10-27; 22:1-5). Yet much has to transpire before that glorious era!

Darkness precedes the light

Meanwhile, the King of the North has established his command post between Mount Zion and the Mediterranean Sea, from which he has besieged Jerusalem. The King of the West — the ten-nation confederation of the Revived Roman Empire is operating out of the Valley of Megiddo in the Plain of Esdraelon. The Kings of the East — the pan-Oriental bloc are moving up into Jehoshaphat’s Valley; and although the Bible does not specifically state were the Arabs are, they are undoubtedly still very much in the picture.

With the greatest concentration of armies in the history of the world encompassing one small section of the City of Jerusalem, the situation is bleak and hopeless for the Jews. Yet these hostile armies will suffer the most decisive and devastating defeat ever known in military history. Before the complete annihilation of the enemy by the intervention of Jesus Christ, however, there is a supernatural darkness on both sides of the world simultaneously.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken (Matt. 24:29).

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people . .. (Isa. 60:2).

This is not the darkness of night, which contains light, but a total blackout on the earth. No artificial light can penetrate this utter blackness. It will be exactly like that total darkness which shrouded Jesus Christ while He was bearing our sins on the Cross (Matt. 27:45). No one was permitted to see God’s judgment of sin!

In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment {terror], and his rider with madness {shock}: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness (Zech. 12:4).

Although horses can be so frightened that they become hysterical and scream, these are not literal “horses” but refer to the enemy military organization. Traditionally, the Jews have never employed cavalry as part of their military system but instead have maintained a fantastic reputation as foot soldiers. Therefore, any battle description where horses are mentioned always indicates enemy forces opposing Jewish infantry. The darkness will immobilize the enemy and cause such disorientation and terror that the men will lose all formation in the attack, and in their confusion, they will even kill each other. It is impossible to maneuver armored divisions, men and material in total darkness. As a result of the confusion, the warfare comes to a standstill. Isaiah describes the personal fear of those involved:

Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it (Isa. 13:6-9; cf. Luke 21:25,26).

Another purpose of the dense darkness is to protect and preserve those believers still alive, just as the darkness of the Cross was designed to save believers for all eternity.

The deliverance of the saints

Suddenly, in the midst of the thick darkness, there appears a supernatural light: “ .. . but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light” (Zech. 14:7b).

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD… and all the people see his glory (Psa. 97:2-6).

Behold, he cometh with clouds [the saints]: and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him . . . (Rev. 1:7).

Everyone will be able to see Jesus Christ as He comes out of heaven, for His divine essence is the Light of the world the only Light which can penetrate the abysmal darkness, even as He is the only Light who can penetrate the darkness of the human soul lost in sin. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth [believes in] me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of [which comes from] life” (John 8:12).

Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle (Zech. 14:3).

The Lord shall FIGHT! The cul-de-sac at the Red Sea is the pattern of deliverance (Ex. 14:10-14). The Jews of the Exodus generation were also hopelessly trapped, with the Red Sea in front of them, the mountains to the side and the Egyptian army in rapid pursuit. The Israelites were on the “panic button,” when Moses shouted, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation [deliverance] of the Lord . . . The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Ex. 14:13, 14). As

they quieted down, they beheld the miracle of the sea opening up before them to let them pass through dry-shod; then they watched the waters return and drown the Egyptians, The principle behind the deliverance then and in the future is grace; it depends entirely on who and what the Lord is. As supernatural intervention won the day for the Jews in the past, so it will win the day in that future siege.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south (Zech. 14:4).

As the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth in glory, the first place His feet will touch is the very hill which has been designated as a target by the artillery of the armies of the King of the North! The Mount of Olives has always been an obstacle for people fleeing from Jerusalem, as in the case of David (2 Sam. 15:30). The personal presence of the Lord on the Mount of Olives will convert this obstacle into a portal of refuge. He will split the mount and through the valley will move the believing remnant of Israel to safety, while the Lord destroys their enemies. As the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea to safety, so the future generation will pass through the valley made by the Savior.

The decimation of the enemy

The Second Advent of Jesus Christ our Lord the Ancient of Days, David’s Greater Son, the Stone cut out without hands turns the tide of the campaign, saves the Jewish remnant from annihilation and causes a decimation of the Gentile forces unparalleled in all the bloody wars and campaigns of history.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war (Rev. 19:11).

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself (Rev. 19:12).

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God (Rev. 19:13).

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev. 19:14).

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Rev. 19:15).

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:16).

The white horse is the symbol of conquest. Although Christ has all the essence of deity. He is called here “Faithful and True.” He is faithful to deliver His own, especially the believing Jews who are bottled up in Jerusalem. He is true to His Word, and at His return He will accomplish two things warfare and judgment. In both of these activities the Lord is absolutely fair and righteous, even though violence and death are involved.

In a recent speech, the Attorney General of this government said that there should be no capital punishment and that no one should be killed everyone has a right to live. Yet throughout Scripture we discover that divine viewpoint designates that certain people have forfeited the right to live. God is omniscient and sees inside every soul; that is why He instituted capital punishment (Gen. 9:6). MURDERERS must be permanently removed from society in order to preserve society.

Nations also occasionally need purging in order to preserve other nations. When a group of people become totally degenerate, they must be eliminated even as rabid dogs must be destroyed. The Canaanites were in this category, and God had them removed.

The recipients of His wrath in that future day are unbelievers who will have had every possible opportunity to be saved but have persisted in their rejection of the only Savior (Acts 4:12). Therefore, His judgments are just and righteous!

While the blood of Christ speaks of His spiritual death on the Cross the bearing of our sins in His own body (1 Pet. 2:24)it also indicates here that He alone will fight and kill. The armies in heaven include the angelic army, Old Testament saints, along with martyred Tribulational saints, and believers of the Church Age (1 Thess. 3:13; Jude 14). The Lord is the Commanding General, and this will be the only army in history where the Commander in Chief does all the fighting while the

troops stand by and watch!

The “sharp sword” of verse 15 is the greatest weapon of all time. Our Lord slays the armies of Armageddon with the words of His mouth! The “winepress” is the massive slaughter which terminates the Armageddon Campaign. Notice that Christ Himself demonstrates how to win a war: slaughter the enemy!

Jesus Christ does not come back to sit around a peace table and negotiate a settlement. He returns to annihilate the enemy. There will be no more warfare for a thousand years because the enemy is DEAD! It is no wonder our Savior bears the rank and title of KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS!”

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven. Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God (Rev. 19:17);

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great (Rev. 19:18).

And I saw the beast [Dictator of Revived Roman Empire], and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army (Rev. 19:19).

The armies are spread throughout the Land, from Megiddo to Edom (Isa. 63:1-6), and their destruction is complete from the lowest buck private to the leaders and instigators!

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev. 19:20).

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fouls were filled with their flesh (Rev. 19:21).

So great will be the slaughter in that day that the Land will be literally saturated with blood. The blood will flow as high as the horses’ bridles for 176 miles (Rev. 14:19, 20), and it will take seven months to bury the dead (Ezek. 39:12)!

Summary of the campaign

The Campaign of the Great Day of God Almighty occurs in the closing days of the Tribulation prior to the premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to establish His kingdom in fulfillment of the promises of the Abrahamic Palestinian and Davidic covenants.

The geographical location for the final conflict is Palestine, with specific reference to such sections as Armageddon (Valley of Megiddo), Jehosphaphat Valley, Edom (ldumea) and Jerusalem.

At the instigation of Satan, the Land is invaded by four separate forces, representing all the nations of the world: Western Union (Revived Roman Empire), King of the North (Gog), the King of the South and Kings of the East. The campaign will begin sometime during the latter half of Daniel’s seventieth week, known as the “time of Jacob’s trouble” or the “Great Tribulation.” It will terminate with the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, who destroys the personnel of the invading armies together with their leaders, casts the two beasts into the Lake of Fire, binds Satan, the instigator, for one thousand years, judges the living Jews and Gentiles to determine whether they will enter the kingdom and eternal life or depart into endless punishment. Upon the incarceration of Satan and the judgment of the living Jews and Gentiles, peace is restored and the Lord Jesus reigns supreme on the earth for one thousand years.

What is the answer today?

How close is the Tribulation? According to the Scripture, there is no prophecy yet to be fulfilled before the Rapture and the Tribulation can take place. But these conditions have existed since the first century. Since no one can know the day or the hour of the Rapture, it could occur today, tonight, next week or a thousand years from now! Never be deceived by elaborate claims that it is an absolute certainty for the immediate future.

Who are the false prophet and the beast? The identity of these two sinister personalities will not be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church. Any speculation concerning these men is futile. Evil men in the past have been the target for these designations as will evil men in the future.

Are we on the verge of Armageddon today? The answer is NO! According to divine revelation, the Armageddon Campaign cannot occur as long as the Church is on the earth. While Armageddon will not personally affect you, this does not rule out other conflagrations in the Middle East. Such crises can become so desperate that they could erupt into World War III. This is the age of wars and rumors of wars (Matt. 24:6) hot wars and cold wars! Many of these conflicts can be as nationally or personally disasterous to some of you as the siege of Jerusalem will be to the Jews of the future.

Is there a solution? First of all, nations must be prepared by a strong military establishment. A nation cannot be strong industrially without military protection. This was demonstrated in the past by the rise of the Assyrian Empire. When the Assyrians gained the iron monopoly at the beginning of the Iron Age, they developed the greatest military organization in the world at that time in order to protect their tremendous industry. For two hundred years they never lost a war!

Secondly, for the individual, preparation begins with salvation:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).

The wrath of God will be as certain and as swift on the unbeliever who rejects Jesus Christ today as in that future day!

For the one who has received Jesus Christ as Savior, Bible doctrine has an answer for every exigency of life. If you know Bible doctrine, as will the Jewish generals of the future, you will not faint in the day of adversity (Prov. 24:10). No matter what happens, the Lord has a Plan and a purpose for your life. Your first responsibility is to take in doctrine through the function of the “grace apparatus for perception” and to move on to the supergrace life. V As a supergrace believer, God will use you in prosperity as well as in disaster. You will do credit to your Lord and Savior; your life will have meaning and purpose and definition; you will possess happiness exceeding abundantly above all you could ask or think (Eph. 3:20); and you will have confidence in times of crisis. There is no catastrophe, no disaster, no pressure too great for the Word of God and the Plan of God! And you, believer, are an integral part of that Plan!